Gametogenesis Process in

Human: Spermatogenesis and

Oogenesis
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Gametogenesis is the process by which male and female sex cells or

gametes, i.e., sperms and ova are formed respectively in the male and
female gonads (testes and ovaries). The gametes differ from all other
cells (= somatic cells) of the body in that their nuclei contain only half
the number of chromosomes found in the nuclei of somatic cells.

Meiosis forms the most significant part of process of gametogenesis.

Gametogenesis for the formation of sperms is termed spermatogenesis,
while that of ova is called oogenesis. Both spermatogenesis and
oogenesis comprise similar phases of sequential changes viz.,:
(i) multiplication phase,

(ii) growth phase and

(iii) maturation phase.

Spermatogenesis:
The process of formation of sperms is called spermatogenesis. It occurs
in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The seminiferous tubules are
lined by germinal epithelium. The germinal epithelium consists largely
of cuboidal primary or primordial germ cells (PGCs) and contains
certain tall somatic cells called Sertoli cells (= nurse cells). Spermato-
genesis includes formation of spermatids and formation of
spermatozoa.
(i) Formation of Spermatids:
It includes the following phases.

(a) Multiplication Phase:

At sexual maturity, the undifferentiated primordial germ cells divide
several times by mitosis to produce a large number of spermatogonia .
Spermatogonia (2N) are of two types: type A spermatogonia and type В
spermatogonia. Type A spermatogonia serve as the stem cells which
divide to form additional spermatogonia. Type В spermatogonia are the
precursors of sperms.

(b) Growth Phase:

Each type В spermatogonium actively grows to a larger primary
spermatocyte by obtaining nourishment from the nursing cells.

(c) Maturation Phase:

Each primary spermatocyte undergoes two successive divisions, called
maturation divisions. The first maturation division is reductional or
meiotic. Hence, the primary spermatocyte divides into two haploid
daughter cells called secondary spermatocytes. Both secondary
spermatocytes now undergo second maturation division which is an
ordinary mitotic division to form, four haploid spermatids, by each
primary spermatocyte.

(ii) Formation of Spermatozoa from Spermatids

(Spermatogenesis):
The transformation of spermatids into spermatozoa is called
spermiogenesis or spermateliosis. The spermatozoa are later on known
as sperms. Thus four sperms are formed from one spermatogonium.
After spermiogenesis sperm heads become embedded in the Sertoli
cells and are finally released from the seminiferous tubules by the
process called spermiation.

Hormonal Control of Spermatogenesis:

Spermatogenesis is initiated due to increase in gonadotropin-releasing
hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus. GnRH acts on the anterior lobe
of pituitary gland to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH). LH acts on the Leydig’s cells of the testes
to secrete testosterone.

FSH acts on Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules of the testes to

secrete an androgen binding protein (ABP) and inhibin. ABP
concentrates testosterone in the seminiferous tubules. Inhibin
suppresses FSH synthesis. FSH acts on spermatogonia to stimulate
sperm production.

Significance of Spermatogenesis:
(i) During spermatogenesis, one spermatogonium produces four
sperms, (ii) Sperms have half the number of chromosomes. After
fertilization, the diploid chromosome number is restored in the zygote.
It maintains the chromosome number of the species, (iii) During
meiosis I crossing over takes place which brings about variation, (iv)
Spermatogenesis occurs in various organisms. Thus it supports the
evidence of the basic relationship of the organisms.

Spermatozoon
;
The sperms are microscopic and motile cells. Sperms remain alive and
retain their ability to fertilize an ovum (egg) from 24 to 48 hours after
having been released in the female genital tract. A typical mammalian
sperm consists of a head, neck, middle piece and tail.
(i) Head:
It contains anterior small acrosome and posterior large nucleus.
Acrosome is formed from Golgi body of the spermatid. Acrosome
contains hyaluronidase proteolytic enzymes which are popularly known
as spermlysins that are used to contact and penetrate the egg (ovum) at
the time of fertilization.

(ii) Neck:
It is very short and is present between the head and middle piece. It
contains the proximal centriole towards the nucleus which plays a role
in the first cleavage of the zygote and the distal centriole which gives
rise to the axial filament of the sperm.

(iii) Middle piece:

The middle piece of human sperm contains the mitochondria coiled
round the axial filament called mitochondrial spiral. They provide
energy for the movement of the sperm. So it is the “power house of the
sperm”. At the end of the middle piece there is a ring centriole (annulus)
with unknown function. Posterior half of nucleus, neck and middle
piece of sperm are covered by a sheath called manchette.

(iv) Tail:
The tail is several times longer than the head. In its most part called
main piece, the axial filament is surrounded by a thin layer of
cytoplasm. The part behind the mainpiece is called end piece which
consists of naked filament alone. The sperm swims about by its tail in a
fluid medium.